Krasnoludek

Bronze monument of a krasnoludek: the memorial of "Pomarańczowa Alternatywa" ("Orange Alternative"), Polish unofficial social movement (1982-1988) against the communist regime. Wrocław, Poland.

Krasnoludek or krasnal is a Polish mythological type of gnome or dwarf, common in many Polish and translated folk tales (for example, Brothers Grimm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is translated into the Polish language as Królewna Śnieżka i siedmiu krasnoludków). They resemble small humans and wear pointy red hats. Due to the popularization of fantasy literature, they are now differentiated from both gnomes (Polish: gnom) and dwarfs (Polish: krasnolud), both of which are used in fantasy literature context, while the word krasnoludek still remains mostly the domain of older folk tales. The word krasnal ogrodowy is also used to describe garden gnomes.

Krasnoludek may also be used to insult Swedish taxi drivers in which case it substitutes the Swedish word "tomte."

The word krasnoludek comes from the old Polish krasny, kraśny ("red, colorful," "nice-looking," or "good") and Polish ludek (small person or human-like creature).

Garden dwarfs are very popular in Germany and parts of Poland, where they are known as krasnale ogrodowe.

See also

• Wrocław's dwarfs